Introduction
I chucked the last bag in the back of the pick up truck, a sharp pain shooting through my shoulder as I flung the bag over the side. "Come, on, Katie," I shouted out to the emptying house, clenching my jaw trying to ignore it. We had packed all we could; clothes and imperishables, and whatever else we could find. There wasn't much left in the house at this point, most of it had been sold years ago, but we still had our clothes and some food. Katie emerged from the house, a rucksack over her back as she huffed, her wild curling hair a mess as she tried to shove it out of her face. I smirked at my younger sister. "Got everything?"
"Yes," nodded Katie. "I just wished we could stay."
"It will be better to be around other people," I said.
"Yeah." She looked through the front window. "Where's dad?"
I frowned. "Is he not back yet?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him." I bit my lip nervously and Katie raised her brows. "We can't leave him," she said harshly ready to argue. She was always ready to argue, always ready to fight.
"We won't," I assured. "We'll wait."
Katie and I made sure everything was packed, the two of us going through our dad's belongings in his tip of a room and deciding what he would want. When the sun was beginning to set, we moved onto the sofa downstairs, Katie reading a book out loud to me. I didn't mean to, but I let my eyes rest shut, but by the time I opened them, the night sky was pitch black. Katie was passed out asleep next to me, leaning into my side. I smiled at my slumbering sister as I carefully pushed myself off the sofa, trying not to disturb her. I often forgot how much my sister had grown. She was just a teenager, still a child. I rolled my neck from the awkward position, walking towards the window when I froze. My dad's car was parked out front, he was back, but where was he?
I moved around the downstairs of the house, peering into each room, but each was empty. Sighing, I looked up towards the stairs. He had to be up there. Deciding I should wake him, I made my way back to where Katie slept and shook her shoulder. "Hey," I whispered.
Katie grumbled to herself as she pried her sleepy eyes open. "What?"
"Dad's back. I'm gonna grab him and we'll head off."
"Now?" She questioned.
I nodded. "Yeah, it's not safe here anymore. I'd rather go as soon as possible."
Katie nodded sleepily.
"Make your way to the car and wait for us inside. I'll be two minutes," I said. "You can sleep in the car."
"Alright," Katie said, pushing herself off the sofa and shuffling out the room, unable to pick her feet up properly.
I sighed again as I watched my younger sister disappear through the doorway. I didn't want to wake dad, I knew what I would have to deal with but I had no choice. We had to leave this house. With just the three of us, it was practically haunted with odd creaks and noises, I was scared all the time and I knew Katie was, too. She just would never dare to admit it. Despite everything that had happened over the past months, dad kept driving to the local town to clear out the bar no matter how many times I had told him it was reckless. But he didn't care. He never listened to what I had to say. I steeled herself, taking a steadying breath before moving up each creaking step at a time.
I neared his closed bedroom door and heard some footsteps just behind. I couldn't help but feel relief wash over me. I didn't have to wake him up after all. I knocked on his door. "Dad?" I called. "Dad, we're ready to leave to Nana's. Are you ready?"
There was no response.
"Dad?" I called again. I reached for the handle and twisted it open. He was standing by his window, his back to me. His clothes looking ruffled and dirty, but he was always dirty these days. Piles of plates and bottles were scattered around the room, spillages and clothes puddled in blotches. "Dad," I said. "We're gonna head off. We packed you a bag." I frowned. "Dad?"
I felt my heart stop when he turned around. His eyes, his mouth, the bite on the side of his neck. With a groan turned growl, he lunged at me. Screaming, I slammed the door in his face and he pounded it, the door shaking as if it was going to fall to pieces. My head spinning and my heart beating too fast, I didn't know what I was doing or thinking as I legged it down the stairs and out the front door. I swung the car door open and jumped in. "Keys! Keys! Katie, give me the keys!"
Katie sat bolt upright, all sleepiness gone. "Em, what is it? What's happened?" She looked around. "Where's dad?"
"Keys, Katie!"
She quickly handed them to me and I tried to shove them into the ignition, my hands shaking. I looked out the window at the house, hearing a loud crash. He must have broken down the door. I got it in and the engine roared to life, slamming my foot down, we sped away.
"Emerson! What's going on?" Katie cried out, staring back at the house as it disappeared into the distance. "Where's dad? Take us back now! I won't leave without him!"
My knuckles were white as I held the wheel. "He's not dad anymore."
***
The Todd's
Lindsey Morgan is
Emerson "Em" Todd
Ella Purnell is
Katherine "Katie" Todd
with
Joely Richardson as "Nana" Cassandra Todd
Disclaimer
I do not own The Walking Dead or any of the original characters, plots, or dialogue in the show. I do own Emerson, Katie and Jaqueline and any other original character.
Warning
The Dying of the Light will contain violence, character death, adult language, sexual themes, and alcohol, etc.
Published:: 18/09/2023